I had a lot of fun taping this episode, which starts out with a story about technical glitches and then, as if to prove my point, is full of technical glitches. So, my apologies for any “drop outs” in this episode. However, a few dropped words aside, we did manage to have a great conversation with author and former Seinfeld writer Peter Mehlman, who’s hilarious novel It Won’t Alway’s Be This Great comes out in paperback on October 5th. This book is not only as funny as you might expect, but it’s also a touching story about family, as well as an insightful glimpse into the life of a seemingly ordinary suburban podiatrist who suddenly finds himself in a life altering situation. Next up we have comedian/actor Mateen Stewart, who brings us a pillar of colonial literature, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Unfortunately, we have one of our glitches just as Mateen says the name of the book, so my apologies, but it was a great conversation about a really important book. This book, the story of a man faced with the destruction of his family and his nation by the forces of colonialism is a haunting tale, made all the more frightening by it’s connection to reality. Some real life horrors are worse than any fiction, and this book is both a great novel as well as a great testament to the truth of colonialism. The horrors in our next book, brought to us by our returning favorite, Hannah Gansen, are of the freak show variety, as we discuss the very popular Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. This is a book that comes up over and over it seems, people keep recommending it to me, and they seem to have a deep connection to this twisted tale about a family of freaks. And I suppose that’s what this show’s all about, getting a good recommendation for something you might not otherwise read, and so after my talk with Hannah, I’m looking forward to diving into this one! All in all, another fun episode! I hope you enjoy! IT WON’T ALWAYS BE THIS GREAT - by Peter Mehlman : Bancroft Press ISBN 978-1-61088-135-7 THINGS FALL APART - by Chinua Achebe : William Heinemann Ltd. ISBN 0-385-47454-7 GEEK LOVE - by Katherine Dunn : Random House ISBN 0-394-56902-4

We’ve got almost too much to talk about in Episode 16, as comedian Caitlin Durante fills us in on Holes, Matt Donaher talks about What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, and Brock Wilbur takes us back to the 80’s with Less Than Zero. What starts off on a tangent about Burning Man turns into a fun conversation about a really fun book and movie for the whole family, Holes by Louis Sachar. There’s a lot to like in this story, and Caitlin shares her enthusiasm for this YA classic about kids at a camp that turns out to be much more than it appears. Next up, Matt Donaher brings us a non-fiction account of the life and craft of Japanese fiction master Haruki Murakami, who’s latest book, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, tells of his love of running and how it relates to his life’s work, writing. Finally, we’ve saved the juicy stuff for last, as we dive into the depraved indifference of the decadent and indelible, Less Than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis. Don’t judge Brock Wilbur for loving this book, please, and you shouldn’t because it is, in many ways, an incredible book, and has always been one of my favorites as well. It’s one of those books that never fails to shock and amaze. It’s a book that so good, even the story behind the writing of the book is a great story. And, after all that, we leave you, dear listeners, with a few tantalizing cliff hangers. You know, just to keep people coming back and listening for more… Enjoy!

BOOKS: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami: Knopf - ISBN - 0-307-26919-1

Holes by Louis Sachar: Farrar, Straus and Giroux - ISBN 978-0-786-22186-8

Less Than Zero - by Brett Easton Ellis: Simon and Schuster - ISBN 978-0-14-008894-6

We’re BACK! After a bit of an unexpected hiatus, we return to the airwaves with a great group of comedians and a fine crop of books to discuss. Joining us for our return is JJ Whitehead, taking a break from his record setting* tour with Jim Jeffries, who brings us a great new book out of Scotland, the funny sci-fi romp Carpet Diem: Or, How To Save The World By Accident by Justin Lee Anderson. We stay in Scotland for our next book as well, the now classic Trainspotting by Ervine Welsh, brought to us by comedian/ musician Miguel Fierro. While most people are familiar with the film version, Miguel makes a strong case for why “the book is better”, as it so often is. Not to be pinned down to one choice, however, Miguel doubles down with book number two, “The Life Changing Art of Tidying Up…” by Marie Kondo. Not as exciting as Trainspotting, perhaps, but much more useful, this may be the book you need to help you get your act, and your apartment, together at last. Finally, we have a special visitor from New York, the comedian/writer Kevin Avery, who took time away from “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” to bring us the fascinating best seller 11/22/63 by Steven King. A time traveling adventure that shows us an alternate timeline of our recent history, this book is soon to become a TV miniseries starring James Franco. Great comedians, great books. Give it a listen!

*Alcohol Sales Record!

JJ Whitehead: Carpet Diem: Or, How To Save The World By Accident by Justin Lee Anderson - Wild Wolf - ISBN 978-1-907954-43-6

Kevin Avery: 11/22/63 by Steven King - Scribner - ISBN 978-1-4516-2728-2

Miguel Fierro: Trainspotting by Ervine Welsh - Secker & Warburg - ISBN 0-7493-9606-7 The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art Of Decluttering And Organizing - By Marie Kondo - 10 Speed Press ISBN 1607747308

We were having so much fun in episode fourteen that we ran a little long again, but I’m sure you won’t mind listening to a little extra from these great guests, each of whom brought a really interesting selection. We start with comedian Lou Perez, who brings us Zone One by Colson Whitehead. A recent entry into the zombie fiction genre from one of contemporary literature’s brightest stars, this book sounds like a must read for fans of either the zombie genre or just great writing. Next up, we talk to rapper/comedian Zach Sherwin about the ground breaking work of Jorge Luis Borges, as well as his own ground breaking work in burgeoning the field of hip hop/comedy crossover. It’s a fun conversation that leads us seamlessly into a discussion of our final book, the indelible dystopian classic, 1984 by George Orwell. Comedian Brody Reed shares with us his love for this book that spoke to him as a young man, as it does to so many of us who encounter it during our formative high school years. As relevant today as it was when it was released, if not more so than it ever was, this book is one of the all time greats, and deserving of my highest praise as a host, a “humdinger”.

Zombies, Big Brother, and Music! It sure makes for a hell of a show. ENJOY!

Zach Sherwin - Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges - Penguin - ISBN 0-670-84970-7

Brody Reed - 1984 by George Orwell - Secker & Warburg - ISBN 0-547-24964-0 (2013 edition)

Lou Perez - Zone One by Colson Whitehead Doubleday - ISBN 978-0-385-52807-8

In episode thirteen we gather together three old friends from the San Francisco comedy scene, Sammy Obeid, Casey Ley, and Kevin Camia, and they recommend three very different but equally fascinating books. We start with a book Kevin Camia enjoyed so much he almost finished it, the controversial nonfiction best seller 40 Million Dollar Slaves by William C. Rhoden. This 2007 book combines a potent history of black athletes in professional athletics, with provocative theories about the modern professional sports industry. Next, Casey Ley brings us the brand new history book from Scott Anderson, Lawrence In Arabia, which sheds new light on the incredible real life of T.E. Lawrence, set amidst the historic backdrop of WWI. This book is a perfect compliment to last episode’s The Peace To End All Peace, treading the same historic ground but seen from a completely different perspective, and packed with tantalizing new information about what we thought was an old story. Finally, Sammy Obeid tells us about his experience reading John Steinbeck’s last novel The Winter of Our Discontent in high school, as well as some things he enjoyed more, such as Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park, and some things he enjoys less, such as math in movies. It all adds up to a really fun show! (See what I did there?)

LAWRENCE IN ARABIA: WAR, DECEIT, IMPERIAL FOLLY AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST by Scott Anderson Random House ISBN # 978-0-307-47641-8

THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT - by John Steinbeck Penguin ISBN# 978-0-14-118631-3

FORTY MILLION DOLLAR SLAVES: THE RISE, FALL, AND REDEMPTION OF THE BLACK ATHLETE by William C. Rhoden Three Rivers Press ISBN# 978-0-307-35314-6

In this episode we once again cover a wide variety of topics with our books, ranging from what to do (and not do) when pregnant, a look at Hollywood through the eyes of a contemporary novelist, and finally the end of WWI and the creation of the modern middle east. First up is comedian and recent mother Laura Mannino, who brings us the fascinating and controversial pregnancy guide ‘Expecting Better’, by Emily Oster, which attempts to make sense of the mountains of conflicting and often confusing advice heaped on soon-to-be mothers. Next up, comedian and podcaster Scott Boxenbaum brings us a terrific new addition to one of my favorite sub-genres, the “Hollywood Novel”, with his recommendation of ‘American Dream Machine’ by Matthew Specktor. To top it off, Steve Benaquist brings us the incredibly informative and fascinating ‘A Peace To End All Peace’ by David Fromkin, which sheds new light on a centuries old problem that still haunts us today. At once a history book and a story of contemporary politics, this book is simply a must-read for anyone interested in how the modern political world works and how it got that way. It’s heady stuff, but as usual, we make it fun! Give it a listen!

Steve Benaquist "A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the Modern Middle East” by David Fromkin. - Holt Publishing - ISBN - 10: 0-8050-8809-1

Scott Boxenbaum American Dream Machine - Novel - Matthew Specktor - Tin House Books - ISBN - 978-1-935639-44-2

Laura Mannino "Expecting Better” - By Emily Oster - Penguin 2013 - ISBN - 978-1-59420-475-3

In this episode we have an excellent variety of books, including the autobiography of a famous athlete, a futuristic novel, and a book of art by an American music icon. We begin with Joe Praino who brings us a classic baseball book, ‘Joe, You Coulda Made Us Proud’, by Joe Pepitone, who’s wild life as a Yankee made him as famous for what he did off the field as what did on it. Next, we talk with Klee Wiggins about the recent work of fiction, ‘Ready Player One’ by Ernest Clone, a soon-to-be movie set in a futuristic world immersed within a video game. Finally, we talk to actor and native Oklahoman, Josh Fadem, who gives us a peek at the visual art of singer Woody Guthrie in the book “Art Works”, a rare book from the collection of works on display at the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa Oklahoma. Great comics, great books! 

And be sure to watch Joe Praino throw out the first pitch at the Mets game on June 26th!

Joe Praino - ‘Joe, You Coulda Made Us Proud’ by Joe Pepitone (with Berry Stainback) - Sports Publishing - ISBN - 978-1-61321-796-2

Josh Fadem - Woody Guthrie Art Book - ‘Art Works’ - Steven Brower and Nora Guthrie - Rizzoli Publishing

Klee Wiggins - ‘Ready Player One’ - Ernest Clone - Random House - ISBN - 978-0307887436

In this episode we get recommendations for two great books, plus a movie you might have missed, and a book that hasn’t even been released yet. We start our show with a quick discussion of deep fried hamburgers and other delicious, wacky food, with producer Gary Lucy, then quickly jump into a discussion of the film “Janeane From Des Moines”, which I loved and highly recommend. Next, we talk to writer/comedian Adam Gropman about the terrific one person show “A Carlin Home Companion” by Kelly Carlin, which we both enjoyed immensely and will soon be released as a book. Then, we get to the books, and we’ve got two great ones, “The Great Beanie Baby Bubble” by Zac Bissonnette, a fascinating non-fiction account of the craze that swept the nation and the insane financial bubble that formed within the collectors market. Finally, we discuss a really interesting work of modern fiction, “Then We Came To The End” by Joshua Ferris, a highly acclaimed debut novel that tells a fairly common story in an very uncommon style.

Gary Lucy - “The Great Beanie Baby Bubble” by Zac Bissonnette - Penguin - ISBN - 978-1-101-60698-8

Adam Gropman - “Then We Came To The End" by Joshua Ferris - Little, Brown and Company ISBN - 978-0-316-01638-4

ALSO RECOMMENDED:

“A Carlin Home Companion” by Kelly Carlin, available for pre-order on amazon.com, release date Sept. 15, 2015

“Janeane From Des Moines” - Film available for rental on amazon.com and iTunes.

In episode nine we have a great variety of books, ranging from life with a beast, to the last of a species, to life on another planet. We open with our first cookbook, “Feed The Beast: Cooking For The Alpha Male” and author Tracy Hammond tells us what it’s like to live with an Alpha Male, and how to tame them with delicious food (And plenty of it!) Next, Virginia Jones brings us a classic of the animal conservation movement, the stunning, funny, and ultimately importantbook, “Last Chance To See”, in which venerable Sci-fi author Douglas Adams and zoologist Mark Carwardine travelled around the globe to document the possible “last of” a variety of endangered animals. And finally, from a classic Sci-fi author to a new Sci-fi classic, Matt Kirshen brings us the fascinating new novel by Andy Weir, “The Martian”, that has grown from a small internet fan base to become one of the most well regarded novels of the last few years.

MATT KIRSHEN - ‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir - Crown Publishing Group - ISBN978-0-8041-3902-1

VIRGINIA JONES - ‘Last Chance To See’ by Douglas Adams & Mark Carwardine - Pan Books - ISBN # 978-0-345-37198-0

TRACY HAMMOND - ‘Feed the Beast - Cooking For Your Alpha Male’ by Tracy Hammond - Volossal Publishing - ISBN # 978-0-9886262-9-4 - Audiobook soon on Audible.com

In episode eight we have a touching tale told by a dog, a literary heavyweight from South America, and a fascinating look at the life, and loves, of a beloved comedy actor. We begin by getting an update on a very worthy cause, Margaret Cho’s “Be Robin” Project, inspired by the life and good works of legendary comedian, the late Robin Williams. From there we dive into an interesting array of books, starting with ‘The War At The End Of The World’ by Mario Vargas Llosa, considered one of the Pulitzer Prize winner’s best works, that tells a story from history that still resonates today. Next up, we look at the novel ‘The Art Of Racing In The Rain’, a heartfelt story about what it means to be a good human, as told from the perspective of “man’s best friend”. Finally, we take a look at a memoir from one of my favorite comic actors of all time, the multi-talented Gene Wilder, who’s ‘Kiss Me Like A Stranger” not only recounts his life and career, but also his thoughts on creativity, being an artist, falling in love, and living a happy life.

HEATHER THOMSON - ‘Kiss Me Like A Stranger: My Search for Love and Art’ - by Gene WilderSt. Martin’s ISBN - 0-312-33706-3

NICK COBB - ‘The Art Of Racing in The Rain’ - by Garth SteinHarper Collins ISBN - 978-0-06-153793-6

KURT WEITZMANN - ‘The War At The End Of The World’ - Mario Vargas LlosaFarrar Straus & Giroux ISBN - 978-0-312-42798-6!